The Problem No One Talks About Every condo has one. A property manager who seems to hold the building together—or so it appears. Behind the scenes, though, tension simmers. Some residents think the manager is too slow. Others say they’re too harsh. Board members feel stuck between complaints and contracts. But here’s the real issue:…
Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a condominium owner is essential for maintaining your property and fostering a harmonious living environment within the community. In Ontario, the Condominium Act, 1998, along with your condo corporation’s governing documents—such as the Declaration, By-laws, and Rules—outline these duties. Navigating the Declaration To effectively understand your responsibilities ensure you…
Explore essential tips on maximizing your condo investment and responsible condo ownership. Learn how to maintain your unit, follow condo rules, protect your investment, and foster a harmonious community, to ensure your condo living experience is successful and your property’s value is maximized.
Condo corporations are for the most part large entities that require significant effort to maintain and repair the property. This involves bringing in many trades to do the required work, both on a regular schedule and for day-to-day work as may be necessary. The boards will budget for all such work accordingly, typically in three…
The success of a condo corporation over time is determined by four critical factors: the board, the management firm, the managing individual, and vendors/suppliers. While all are important, the managing individual is the most crucial of the first three. In this article, I will present my reasoning for this belief. The Importance of the Board…
Buying a condo is probably the most significant financial decision for most individuals. As such, it should go without saying that proper research of the market and doing the due diligence is critical. Unfortunately, not everyone fully understands the importance of this step and may base their purchase on market trends and popular belief that…
Understanding the Roles: Directors and Managers “Directors direct, managers manage” has almost become a cliche in condo governance. Of course, this is how it is supposed to be. After all, directors are almost always owners themselves, with a vested interest in the condo corporation, and are the owners’ elected representatives. They even live in the…
Navigating the Ethical Minefield: Bribes and Temptations Dealing with contractors is a crucial aspect of a manager’s job. Building rapport with them is important for the manager to provide better service and receive prompt responses. However, this relationship can lead to ethical dilemmas, affecting both the manager’s effectiveness and the quality of service provided to…